Native Plant Dyeing

Discover nature’s hidden sources of colour using millennia-old eco dyeing techniques.

If you have always wanted to try your hand at bush dyeing then this is the class for you. Indigenous peoples have been carrying out the practice of eco dyeing for thousands of years and passing on this knowledge, and our trainer, proud Darug and Wiradjuri First Nations person Kylie, continues this tradition.

This eco dyeing workshop will provide you with:

Connection to the natural environment
Sustainable practices through the use of traditional dyeing methods using natural and found objects
Experimentation through swatches of fabric using different plant materials, including readily available native plants like eucalyptus and food waste such as onion skins
The opportunity to dye a garment of your choice using provided organic unbleached calico bags or your own material if preferred

Course details

Sat 15th Jul or
10am – 1pm

Sat 7th Oct or
10am – 1pm

Sat 9th Dec
10am – 1pm

CERES Brunswick, corner of Roberts & Stewart Streets, Brunswick East, Victoria

$125*
Concession available

Book now

Trainer profile

Kylie (she/her) is a proud Darug and Wiradjuri First Nations person who grew up in country NSW, residing on the Mornington Peninsula for the past decade.

As a certified nature based therapist and Wayapa instructor (ancient Earth Indigenous movement practice) and Shinrin Yoku practitioner her focus is on using nature for wellness.

Embedding culture into everyday life is something she is passionate about.

Cooking with native ingredients, foraging, bush dyeing and nature journaling are some of her favourite pursuits.

Workshop specifics

What will I learn?

Sustainable ways to collect and forage native plant material
How to safely prepare a dye bath specifically for dyeing with native plants
How to pre-mordant for popular garden plants
How to care for your pieces afterwards
Some useful tips for how to bundle dye and work with different fabrics
The benefits of using native plants

What will I take away?

Handouts
Your own unique hand dyed creation

What should I bring?

Any additional plants or food waste from home if you wish (plenty of items will also be provided)
A white or light garment of your choice you wish to dye (calico bags and plenty of fabric swatches will be provided) Note: no Lycra fabric please as this is dye resistant

What should I wear?